Plans to demolish the former Belvoir Tavern pub in Belvedere and build a Christian church have been approved by council officers.

Christ Chapel Ministries re-applied to demolish the property at 38 Station Road last November after a previous application in 2017 to demolish the former boozer was refused by the council on the basis the proposal "would result in an unacceptable loss of amenity for occupiers of adjacent sites", including an increase in noise and disturbance.

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It was also noted the 2017 plan failed to accommodate any increase in parking likely to derive from a new church, stating it would be "likely to generate an unacceptable increase in the demand for on-street parking in the nearby residential streets."

The now approved plans will see a new two-storey building with 200 seats on the ground floor, along with a mother and baby room, and 100 seats on the first floor with associated offices.

Five car parking spaces, one disabled parking bay, and five cycle parking spaces are also set to be provided, according to council documents.

Previously, the site was also home to a former African-cuisine restaurant called the Sankofa House which lost its licence in 2010 after police shut it down following a gang fight involving 100 youths.

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A number of the youths from the Peckham and Deptford areas, were armed with knives and police made three arrests for possession of knives and drugs.

The Christ Chapel Ministries have been contacted for a comment.